Michigan Category 3A - Turfgrass Pest Management Bundle
This course bundle will fulfill the recertification category requirement for Michigan Commercial Applicators holding a Turf Pest Management (Category 3A) certification. This course bundle must be paired with the Michigan Commercial Core 8 Credit Bundle to complete recertification requirements as this course bundle does NOT contain any commercial core training. Topics included in this course bundle include keys to turf disease identification and management, common turfgrass weeds identification, a short review of turf insect and vertebrate pests, a look at application equipment and calibration, and a review of IPM turf management practices.
BUNDLE CONTENTS:
- Turfgrass: Keys to Disease Identification and Management – 3 credits
- Common Turfgrass Weeds – 1 credit
- Cultural Practices for Turf Management – 1 credit
- Turfgrass Disease, Insect, and Vertebrate Pests – 1 credit
- Application Equipment and Calibration – 1 credit
- IPM for Turf Management – 1 credit
Turfgrass: Keys to Disease Identification and Management
Course Description
Turfgrass: Keys to Disease Identification and Management. Disease and pest management of turfgrasses involves multiple steps: identification of the disease or pest, various fungicides and pesticides available, application best practices, and prevention strategies. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for various turfgrasses, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully control the environment.
Preemergence Herbicides in Managed Turfgrass. Preemergence herbicides are a common and useful tool that, when used appropriately, prevent weeds from establishing. This module discusses the basics of preemergence herbicide use in managed turfgrass systems.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of the issues involved in controlling pests and disease in managed turfgrass.
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of turfgrass.
Common Turfgrass Weeds
Course Description
Managing weeds in a turf stand can be a tricky proposition. Often times the client fails to recognize that the presence of weeds in a turf stand is the result of poor turf, not the cause. Correct identification of the problem weed is a must of developing a management strategy, as is a working knowledge of weed biology and how herbicides work. This course will provide applicators with a good foundation from which to build their knowledge.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Explain the major similarities and differences between weeds and turf
- Identify common turfgrass weeds
- Explain how herbicides work
Cultural Practices for Turf Management
Course Description
Turf responds best to consistent cultural practices – mowing, irrigating, and fertilizing. A consistent mowing height that is appropriate for the variety of turf, good irrigation, and proper fertilization will result in a healthy vigorous turf that will be enjoyed for years.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Discuss adverse turf conditions and how to correct them
- Recognize common turf problems and how to remedy them
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of turfgrass
Turfgrass Disease, Insect, and Vertebrate Pests
Course Description
There are a variety of diseases, disorders, insects, and vertebrate pests that can cause problems in turfgrass. Being able to correctly identify these common turfgrass maladies is of utmost importance to turfgrass managers. This course will look at the common diseases and disorders found in turf, and cover the situations and environmental conditions favorable to those diseases. The course also covers common insect and vertebrate pests and how to manage them.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify a disease, describe favorable disease conditions, and recommend treatment strategies for each disease
- Identify common insect turf pests and recommend treatment strategies
- Recognize the preferred habitat for common vertebrate pests and be able to recommend the appropriate deterrent or management strategy
Application Equipment and Calibration
Course Description
When pesticide applications become necessary for good turf management, it’s important to understand how application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. Accurate measurement of the area to be treated and properly calibrated equipment are critical to applying pesticides within an acceptable range of the label requirements. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on turf, the way to calculate the area of an irregularly shaped space, and how to properly calculate the flow rate of the equipment.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the different types of equipment used in pesticide applications
- Accurately calculate the square footage of irregular areas
- Accurately calibrate common application equipment
IPM for Turf Management
Course Description
Integrated Pest Management of turfgrasses involves multiple steps; producing a healthy plant, correctly identifying the problem, recognizing that there will always be some pests and damage, and only using pesticides as a last resort. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for turfgrass, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully provide your clients with a healthy and attractive turf stand.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Understand the settings and ecosystems of a turf stand
- Gain an understanding of the issues involved in controlling pests and disease in managed turfgrass
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of turfgrass